The Saskatchewan Rough Riders have been working on stopping tempo offense this week. In Vancouver in Week 17, the BC Lions found some success against the Riders D with a hurry-up attack.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have been working on stopping tempo offences this week after the B.C. Lions found success with a hurry-up attack in Week 17.
A fast-paced offence can challenge a defence, particularly when players fatigue, and substitutions become difficult. Former Roughriders defensive lineman and Plaza of Honour member Scott Schultz discussed the impact of tempo offences on the SportsCage, comparing the physical demands to those seen in mixed martial arts.
“When you start getting fatigued like that, there’s just, I mean, look at any sport. Like, look at the UFC guys. The guys, you know, they go out, they have a big sprint, and then they’re wrecked for the rest of the time, and that’s what happens,” Schultz said.
Schultz explained that a defensive series can quickly become exhausting when an offence extends drives and keeps players off the field.
“You get out there on a series, man, and you get into an eight, nine play. Oh, crap, now we’re extended into 12 or 13 plays, and they’re going quick count. It is not fun,” Schultz said.
He added that having enough depth to rotate players is important when facing an offence that keeps the pressure on. During his playing days with the Roughriders, Schultz and his teammates had a creative way of getting a much-needed break when they were caught on the field without a timeout.
Asked if he had ever faked an injury to slow down an offence, Schultz recalled the team’s “pigeon call,” a signal that someone needed to go down to give the defence a chance to catch its breath.
“Danny Barrett would say, ‘Listen, if we need a break, and we don’t have a timeout, I’m going to give the pigeon call; someone’s going down,” Schultz explained.
Schultz recalled one particular game against the B.C. Lions when the signal came in, but nobody initially went down.
“I remember one time against BC, pigeon call comes in, I’m looking, no one’s going down, I’m going down,” he said.
Schultz said he pretended to injure his hamstring before dropping to the field, with B.C. offensive lineman Angus Reid quickly recognizing what was happening.
“We got our timeout,” Schultz joked.
The tactic allowed Schultz to leave the field for three plays, giving him time to recover before returning to the defence.
While today’s Roughriders are preparing to deal with tempo offences through preparation, depth and defensive execution, Schultz’s story offers a glimpse into some of the creative ways players tried to manage fatigue during his CFL career.
And that’s Between The Lines for Sheppard Realty in Regina, specializing in farm and ranch real estate in Saskatchewan. Call Harry, Justin or Devan at 352-1866.